Writing Tips

Writing is all about exploring the human element. To write, one needs to ask what makes us human. – Angela B. Chrysler

In 2014 I built two websites: angelabchrysler.com and braintobooks.com. As a reader, there is nothing I hate more than entering an author’s site to see what they’re writing and when they’re releasing, only to find the place plastered with writing tips instead. From day one, I’ve made a point of keeping material for authors and writers at Brain to Books, and reserving this site for readers.

For the writers who want to know how I write the way I write, or want to know what my writing process is, head on over to Brain to Books.

My schedule is write from 8:00 AM to 12:00 Noon. Edit (whatever I wrote the day before) from 12:00 to 2:00 PM. As for advice… Persevere and endure. This can be applied to anything really.

For a quick glance (and because I keep losing this list, and I’m tired of spending an hour hunting it down), here is my writing check list. May it guide you as well as it has guided me.

Part Two: Write

WRITE! Write. Write. Write. Set a goal and do it! My goal is 2,000 words a day.

Just do it and accept how bad it’s going to be. I remember my 9 year old learning to knit. She can knit beautifully, but if it’s not perfect, she frogs it (unravels the knit) and starts over. She has yet to finish anything she has started because she hasn’t learned to accept less than perfect. Writing is the process of an author building a skeleton from nothing. For me, it is the hardest part.

Part Three: Revise and Edit

If writing is building a skeleton, revising is breaking the bones and resetting them so they heal properly. Editing is physical therapy.

Read through once, revise for pacing.

Edit for characterization

Edit for historical consistency

Edit for grammar, spelling, punctuation,

Edit for foreign word spelling and definition consistency

Time to start thinking about the next book in the series if there is one.

Begin outlining next book (Repeat Part one for the next book)

Edit current project for foreshadowing in following books.

Edit for clarity. Edit for flow. Edit for prose.

Insert more scenes were needed to fill out or flesh out characters and setting

Edit for pacing, adding and deleting scenes where needed.

Edit for pacing, prolonging and shortening scenes where needed.

Part Four: Trial and Feedback

This is the part where you start getting feedback and appeasing readers.

Rinse and repeat the first two steps of Part Four until no more errors are located.

Hand to beta readers and review critiques (I recommend three to seven beta readers). Too many, and you’ll forget what you want.

Read through and correct.

Part Five: Polish and Prepare for publication

Submit the manuscript to a professional editor.

Hire a Cover Artist

Purchase ISBN’s

About Character Development

I will forever praise anime for what it has taught me in writing story. No one writes character development better than anime writers. Unlike all other writers, anime writers must introduce a character and make you love them before the end of the first episode, which is only fifteen minutes long. In anime, you don’t have time to develop a love for the character, provide background, or develop plot. You have to love the MC within moments. Anime writers only have 13 to 24 episodes to tell their whole story. If you don’t love their character within fifteen minutes, you won’t stick around.

For examples and lessons on writing characters for story, I recommend Naruto from Naruto, Edward and Al from Full Metal Alchemist, Yagami Light from Death Note, and Monkey D. Luffy from One Piece. If you can handle the gore, I also recommend Eren Yeager from Attack on Titan. These animes are available at Crunchyroll.com, Hulu, and Netflix. The first five minutes is usually enough to fall in love with each of these characters.

In every case, their goal and/or dream is introduced, their obstacle is defined, and you empathize with them. In most cases, you witness their suffering. They are humanized before your eyes. In most cases you witness their defining moment.

In most cases, all this is done in five minutes. Now that’s storytelling.